Indonesia and US Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

United States (US) President Joe Biden welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo to the White House on Monday.

IDXChannel - United States (US) President Joe Biden welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo to the White House on Monday.

Marking a historic new phase in our bilateral relations, the two leaders elevated US-Indonesia ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

“This will mark a new era in the relationships between the United States and Indonesia across the board, affecting everything.  It includes enhancing security cooperation, particularly maritime security.  And it includes expanding our work together to build a secure and resilient supply chain.  It includes deepening our collaboration to combat the climate crisis," Biden said.

President Biden thanked President Widodo for Indonesia’s leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and underscored the US commitment to deepening our cooperation in Southeast Asia and with Indonesia. 

Since 2002, the US has provided over USD6.2 billion in development, economic, health, and security assistance to Indonesia, which includes more than SD2 billion to advance education and health outcomes and over USD1.2 billion to promote economic growth.  

Additionally, Biden has requested a further USD172 million in new programs across a range of sectors, including climate and the clean energy transition, economic growth, and health.

"The US is one of the most important partners for Indonesia.  And we agreed to elevate our partnership into Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Widodo said.

"But most importantly, we have to give a real meaning to it.  For Indonesia, economic cooperation is priority, including on supply chains issues," Widodo added. (WHY)